Last Hurrah puts spotlight on Erbach Park
IRONBULL’s Last Hurrah on March 7 provided snowshoe, fat tire bike race and cross country skiers from around the state exposure to Athens’ hidden gem the Erbach Park trail system.
Steve Brewster, president of the Athens Area Trails Association (AATA), welcomed the event to Erbach Park. He said in the fall of 2019, the AATA invited members of the Greater Wausau Chamber, Marathon County Parks, Central Wisconsin Sports Authority and IRONBULL on a tour of Erbach Park.
“Our goal was to bring exposure to the park by way of events that those organizations could help organize,” Brewster said. “That meeting and tour has paid dividends because this is our second event with IRONBULL at Erbach Park.”
He said Andrea Larsen, executive director of IRONBULL, proposed the Last Hurrah event last month and it progressed rapidly from there.
“IRONBULL’s marketing allowed a much wider reach than what the trails association could manage on its own,” Brewster said. “IRONBULL also has a great pool of volunteer resources that are hard to match and Andrea is a contributor to the Silent Sports Magazine, providing even more coverage of the event to an audience that encompasses the entire upper midwest. The Trail Association, along with IRONBULL, were able to leverage a very robust social media presence to help promote the event. Participants from as far away as Madison participated in the Lash Hurrah and this was the first time fat tire bikes raced in Athens, but I am sure it won’t be the last. The bikers had nothing but glowing reviews of the venue and the conditions of the trails for the big event which was the 20K bike race.”
After snapping from a two-week cold streak, Mother Nature turned up the dial with above average temperatures for the Last Hurrah on March 7. With freezing temperatures at the start, the snow was hard and fast for racers.
“Thanks to the Athens Area Trail Association for supporting this event creating fantastic course conditions for racers,” said Larson of IRONBULL. “It was fun to see all the people introduced to this beautiful yearround trail system, many of whom plan to return.”
One of these first-timers on the trail who intends to return is Jacob Sterzinger, racing his first race in a year.
“Going to these events is so uplifting; the staff, volunteers and all the other competitors are all super supportive,” Sterzinger said. “Every time I go to an event, especially returning to an IRONBULL event, it’s so incredible to have people so supportive of you no matter what your skill level is. I also felt very safe competing.”
A variety of events took place including a 12k or 20k fat tire bike race, 6k or 12k snowshoe race and 6k untimed snowshoe hike. Racers were broken into small waves along with a virtual pre-race meeting to minimize close contact to maintain a safe race environment. The untimed snowshoe drew the most participants with many participants inviting family members or a friend or two.
“This was a great event for all athletes. It’s so nice when you’re able to invite all your friends from beginners to experienced,” said one snowshoer after the event.
Billie Olds, a veteran snowshoer, invited Karma Robertson, age six, to her first ever snowshoe race after trying on snowshoes for the first time the week before. Olds often invites children to races.
“Snowshoe racing has offered a very safe and positive community for the kids,” he said. “From learning to take responsibility to learning perseverance and how to embrace discomfort when the trails are tough, there are many life lessons that can be learned on a simple stroll through the forest.”
Race results
Mark Fitzke of Wausau took first place in the Last Hurrah 12K fat tire bike race, while Tom Zdeblick of Middleton placed second. Jason Ruesch of Medford was third.
Christian Budzinski of Stevens Point won the Last Hurrah 20K fat tire bike race, while Chris Schotz of Gleason took second place and Shane Hitz of Wausau was third. Marie Streich of Montello placed fourth, Candace Jenkins of Marathon fifth, Stacey Brickson of Middleton sixth, Jacob Sterzinger of Marshfield seventh, Jodi Oettinger of Green Bay eighth, Allen Phillips of Freedom ninth, Jim Gering of Wausau 10th and Schwan Hardi of Wausau 11th.
Keena DeLay of Henderson, Nev., won the Last Hurrah 6k snowshoe race. Greg Jackan of Marshfield took second place, Michael Malchow of Medford third and Scott Kurilla of Menasha fourth. Dave Rau of Dorchester placed fifth, Jenna Schug of Athens sixth, Eric Filtz of Wittenberg seventh, Terry Mueller of Spencer eighth, Roby Robertson of Wausau ninth, Cindy Carter of Appleton 10th, Olivia Olds of Birnamwood 11th, Leah Nemetz of Mosinee 12th, Wyatt Olds of Birnamwood 13th, Karma Robertson of Birnamwood 14th and Billie Olds of Birnamwood 15th.
Sean Wright of Wausau took first place in the Last Hurrah 12K snowshoe race, followed by Rupert Davenport of Wausau in second and Alex Mueller of Medford in third. Gwendolyn Davenport of Medford placed fourth, Kala Thompson of Athens fifth and Ivy Mitchell of Weyauwega sixth.
IRONBULL’s next event, the Rib Mountain Adventure Challenge on Memorial Day weekend, will incorporate similar COVID protocols to keep the event fun and safe. For more information go to https://www.ironbull. org/rmac. IRONBULL is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that promotes outdoor adventure sports in central Wisconsin.
IRONBULL aims to drive economic development, benefit community organizations and attract and retain a talented work force through the production of high quality races and events that promote healthy living in our community.
